Indian Council of Medical Research [ICMR], the apex body at the forefront of formulating COVID-19 testing strategy in India has achieved the milestone of conducting 40 crores testing on 25th June, 2021. With average testing of more than 18 lakhs per day in the month of June, India has tested 40,18,11,892 samples across the country till 25th June 21 [Friday].
As on 1st June 2021, India had tested 35 Crores COVID-19 samples, it reached 40 crores mark on 25th June, 2021. This has been enabled by rapidly increasing testing infrastructure and capacity across the country. ICMR has been enhancing COVID-19 testing capability across the country by expanding and diversifying testing capacity by leveraging technology and facilitating innovation in affordable diagnostic kits.
Prof (Dr.) Balram Bhargava, Director General, ICMR said, “We have effectively responded to the
evolving epidemic through focused and collaborative efforts of the Centre, State/UTs government.
Exponential increase in testing has led to early identification, prompt isolation & effective
treatment of COVID-19 cases. These have eventually resulted in a sustained low fatality rate. This
testing milestone are testimony to the fact that India has been successful in implementing strategy
of 5T approach “Test, Track, Trace, Treat and use of Technology” efficiently, which will enable us to
contain the spread of the pandemic.’’
ICMR’s concentrated efforts towards augmenting and diversifying testing prepared the
infrastructure which made it possible to deliver on India’s increased testing requirements in the
wake of the second wave of coronavirus. Focus on reducing turnaround time made it possible to
conduct record sample testing. ICMR has been enhancing COVID-19 testing capability across the
country by leveraging technology and facilitating innovation in affordable diagnostic kits.
Through our ardent efforts, it was ensured that a specific testing platform are made available
addressing general testing (RT-PCR), High-throughput testing (COBAS), testing at remotest
places and PHCs (TrueNAT, CBNAAT), in containment areas (rapid antigen testing) and for large
number & migrant population testing (pooled sample testing). The total number of diagnostic
laboratories has reached 2675. Of which dedicated government laboratories are 1676 and
private laboratories number stands at 999. ICMR has also approved India’s first self-use
Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for COVID-19 and is encouraging self-test kits to reduce queues in
laboratories, reduce costs, dissipate the burden on existingmanpower for sample collectionfrom
homes, and provide results without delay.
About ICMR
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world. The ICMR has always attempted to address itself to the growing demands of scientific advances in biomedical research on the one hand, and to the need of finding practical solutions to the health problems of the country, on the other. The ICMR has come a long way from the days when it was known as the IRFA, but the Council is conscious of the fact that it still has miles to go in pursuit of scientific achievements as well as health targets. The Council's research priorities coincide with the National health priorities such as control and management of communicable diseases, fertility control, maternal and child health, control of nutritional disorders, developing alternative strategies for health care delivery, containment within safety limits of environmental and occupational health problems; research on major non-communicable diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, blindness, diabetes and other metabolic and haematological disorders; mental health research and drug research (including traditional remedies). All these efforts are undertaken with a view to reduce the total burden of disease and to promote health and well-being of the population. For more information, please visit https://www.icmr.gov.in/